"UN Clears Path for Palestinian Leader to Address World via Video Link"

UN Allows Palestinian President to Address Leaders via Video Link Amid Visa Row In a significant move, the United Nations General Assembly has voted to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address world leaders via video link next week in New York, following US President Donald Trump's refusal to grant him a visa. The resolution passed with 145 votes in favor and five against, while six countries abstained. According to sources, the decision was made after Trump said he would not give Abbas a US visa to attend the conference and UN General Assembly. This move has been seen as a significant escalation of tensions between the US and Palestine, which have been strained since Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017. The resolution was passed on [date], just days before the annual gathering of world leaders is set to take place at the UN headquarters in New York. The Palestinian delegation had been planning to attend the conference, but Trump's refusal to grant visas to Abbas and other Palestinian officials meant that they would have been unable to participate in person. The move comes as several Western states, including the UK, are set to formally recognize Palestine at an upcoming conference on Monday. This development has been hailed by many as a significant step towards achieving statehood for Palestine. According to a UN spokesperson, "The General Assembly has taken this decision to ensure that all member states have an equal opportunity to participate in the discussion and deliberations of the assembly." The spokesperson added that the video link would allow Abbas to address world leaders remotely, ensuring that his voice is heard despite the visa row. The US refusal to grant visas to Palestinian officials has been widely criticized by human rights groups and other countries. According to a statement from Human Rights Watch, "By refusing to grant visas to Palestinian officials, the Trump administration is attempting to silence their voices and undermine their participation in international forums." The decision to allow Abbas to address leaders via video link has been welcomed by many as a significant victory for Palestine. According to a spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation, "This decision is a testament to the solidarity of the international community with the Palestinian people and their struggle for self-determination." As the annual gathering of world leaders approaches, tensions between the US and Palestine are likely to remain high. However, the UN's decision to allow Abbas to address leaders via video link has provided a glimmer of hope for those seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In related news, several Western states are set to formally recognize Palestine at an upcoming conference on Monday. This development is seen as a significant step towards achieving statehood for Palestine and could have far-reaching implications for the region. The current status of the situation remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the UN's decision to allow Abbas to address leaders via video link has provided a crucial lifeline for the Palestinian delegation. As the world watches with bated breath, one can only hope that this development will pave the way for a more peaceful and inclusive future for all parties involved. Sources: The Guardian The Guardian This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.